Monash University and Y&R Melbourne launch Sip Safe

In a sidestep from the traditional client-agency relationship, this initiative sees an innovative product being launched by Y&R Melbourne in collaboration with Monash University. The product is Sip Safe, a simple wristband that helps protect young people against drink spiking.

Designed for widespread use across festivals, events, bars, nightclubs and other venues where patrons are already accustomed to using wristbands, Sip Safe is equal parts utility, education and deterrent for would-be drink spikers.

Following a successful launch on Thursday, 19th April at the Monash Clayton campus the product is set to be rolled out at a variety of student and youth events throughout the year.

Says Trisha Prpich, Director Monash Residential Services: “Monash is invested in the safety and wellbeing of our students. We want to make sure our community is safe and well informed, and that includes encouraging everyone to drink responsibly. Sip Safe has the potential to provide users with an easy way to determine if their drink has been spiked with two of the most common drugs used in drink spiking.”

Designed in Australia and manufactured by Drink Safe Tech in Florida USA, the Sip Safe wristbands were trialled in November 2017 at a Schoolies event in Lorne. Through utilising paper treated with chemical reagents the disposable wristband can test for the presence of both GHB and ketamine in liquid form.

Our Thoughts

We live in a world where many things have been changed with the creation of crowdfunding. Since its creation in the early 90s it has allowed the opportunity for niche creations to find their audience at less of a risk to their creator than normal manufacturing. It has...